Born in Hokkaido in 1948. Worked as a designer with companies in Japan, before moving to Washington DC and then Brussels, where he designed haute couture. He later traveled around Asia in search of special fabrics. Upon discovering the indigenous fabrics of Thailand, he relocated to Chiang Mai to make clothing into which life is breathed using hand-woven fabrics made with naturally-dyed, hand-spun thread. These clothes are sent to Japan under the Usaato label and sold at exhibitions held by people who share the blessings of the message invested in the clothes.

Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1959. Specialized in surgery until he realized the futility of surgically addressing cancer, and opened the Funato Clinic to care for patients dying at home.
His practice makes use of western, eastern, and complementary/alternative medicine with an emphasis on homecare. The clinic also has a nursing care facility providing rehabilitation and a group home, and an organic restaurant.
Author of many books.

Born in Tokyo. The second daughter of Toshio Fujimoto, a leader of the student movement who later turned to organic farming, and Tokiko Kato, the successful singer. Yae launched her career as a singer in 2001. She created the theme songs for the NHK program ‘Minna no Uta’, the Disney film ‘Winnie the Pooh’, and UNICEF Japan's campaign to support victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, among many other songs. She enjoys the slow life with her family at the Kamogawa Nature Kingdom in Kamogawa, Chiba, while she is active as a radio/television personality and sings in live performances.